In medical circles, mycosis is a group of diseases caused by fungi. If the skin is damaged, dermatomycosis is diagnosed, and if the nail plate is damaged, onychomycosis is diagnosed. In most images, pathologies are combined. Toe fungus develops due to the negative impact of anthropophilic and zooanthropophilic microorganisms. Infection with yeast-like fungi of the Candida family is somewhat less common. Let's look at what types of fungal diseases occur and how to cure fungus between the toes.
Types of mushrooms
Fungi are divided into several varieties: dermatophytes, molds and yeast-like parasites. They cause the development of candidiasis, rubrophytosis, onychomycosis, epidermophytosis. Depending on the symptoms, other divisions into types are distinguished. There are membranous, vesicular and moccasin-like types of disease.
For information, infection occurs directly - through contact with soil, vegetation, with a sick person or an animal, or indirectly - through contact with household objects touched by a sick person.
Fungi on the skin between the toes can be of the following types:
- Athlete's foot. The pathology is accompanied by damage to the space between the toes and the nail plate. In most films, mature men are sick;
- Rubrophytia. The disease progresses slowly and there are no symptoms in the early stages of the infection. In the absence of adequate treatment, the nail plate will soon be affected;
- Candidiasis of the interdigital space is relatively rare. Divided into different types. The first is vesiculopustular. Hallmark signs include severe hyperemia and swelling. The second - hyperkeratotic - the stratum corneum of the dermis thickens, severe scaling is observed;
- Intertriginous form. Most often diagnosed in summer. It usually affects the space between the third and fourth toes; a little less frequently a fungus is found on the little finger;
- The erased form has a minimal number of symptoms. Patients complain of cracks in the interdigital space, mild burning and itching.
Treatment of interdigital fungus is prescribed after identification of the specific pathogen. To do this, the patient is tested. Based on the results of laboratory diagnostics, a therapeutic regimen is recommended. It consists of drugs for external use, tablets taken internally (in neglected scenes).
Causes of fungi and symptoms
Before learning how to treat toe fungus, let's consider the reason for the activation of the pathogenic microflora and the symptoms of the disease. Certainly the main reason is the proliferation of fungi in the affected area.
You can contract the infection in public places, when you use other people's personal hygiene items; The infection is often observed within the family circle when one of the family members becomes ill.
Worth knowing: Factors that increase a person's susceptibility to mushrooms include age - children are more sensitive due to immature defense mechanisms and the state of the immune system - a weakened body cannot resist the effects of mushrooms .
Fungus between the toes develops for the following reasons:
- High humidity. This condition is created by poor quality shoes, socks made of synthetic materials and hyperhidrosis of the lower extremities.
- Blood circulation disorder. This problem is observed in chronic pathologies: diabetes, hypertension. It is also detected in experienced smokers and alcohol dependence.
- Lower limb injuries. The fungus penetrates through the wound and begins to multiply rapidly. Practice shows that even with good immunity, the body cannot cope on its own.
Other reasons include dermatological diseases: psoriasis, eczema, old age, metabolic disorders in the body, etc.
The fungus on the toes is accompanied by constant itching and burning, which significantly reduces the patient's quality of life. Initially, one toe is affected, but if the disease is not diagnosed promptly and treatment with foot fungus remedies is not started, the disease progresses rapidly and spreads to other fingers, feet and ankles.
Fungus between the fingers manifests itself as symptoms:
- Peeling of the skin in the interdigital fold;
- The appearance of small cracks that cause discomfort;
- Itching and pain in the affected area;
- Sealing of the sole of the foot.
If damage occurs to the nail plate, the color of the nail changes and its natural shine is lost. The nail becomes thicker, is easily injured, crumbles and collapses.
At the beginning the clinical symptoms are not very pronounced, the itching does not cause much concern. As the disease progresses, the symptoms intensify. Most often, the treatment of interdigital fungus on the toes requires the use of two or more drugs, as the picture has advanced due to the patient's late request for help.
Methods for treating fungi
If fungus appears between your fingers, you should consult a dermatologist. The doctor conducts a physical examination and issues a referral for laboratory diagnostics. Based on the results, remedies for fungus on the feet between the toes are recommended.
How to get rid of pathogenic microorganisms? Local agents will help with this: creams, gels and ointments, sprays, emulsions. They do not enter the bloodstream and are used several times a day. It is recommended to use for mild fungal infections.
If an advanced fungal infection is diagnosed and the problem area is large, oral tablets are prescribed. They act from the inside, destroying the cell membrane of parasites, which leads to their death. The doctor independently determines both the method of application and the dosage; If the recommended dose is exceeded, side effects may develop.
You can treat fungus between the toes with the following medications:
- Tablet shape.
- Local agents.
You can supplement the medicinal treatment of fungus between the toes with folk remedies: baths based on chamomile, baking soda, lotions with laundry soap, vinegar and other ingredients of natural origin.
Important: to guarantee the effectiveness of the treatment, confirmation with laboratory methods is necessary: the analysis is performed after 14 days of therapy and after 30 days. Only receiving negative results indicates the effectiveness of the course.
Antifungal agent
An antifungal agent is an antifungal agent; helps remove fungi and works quickly and effectively. The use of the drug is carried out only on the advice of a doctor. The drug has several forms of release: gel, spray, cream and tablets, solution.
The principle of action of the drug is to block the ability of fungi to reproduce, as a result of which they die. When used externally, the product accumulates in the affected area, contributing to its high effectiveness.
The tablet dosage for an adult is usually 250 mg per day. If a child is treated with a mushroom, the dose is determined based on body weight. The duration of the therapeutic process varies from 2 to 6 weeks. Spray and ointment are used 1-2 times a day. The treatment lasts 1 month. On the advice of the doctor, the treatment course can be extended by several weeks.
Side effects of the tablets:
- Heachache;
- Impaired taste perception;
- Dizziness;
- Allergic reactions;
- Decreased appetite;
- Disruption of the digestive tract;
- Nausea;
- Painful sensations in the abdomen.
Contraindications for use are organic intolerance to the drug, impaired liver and kidney function. Patient reviews note that the product quickly relieves unpleasant symptoms: after a few days of treatment, the severity of clinical manifestations decreases.
Antifungal drug for systemic use against fungi
Dosage forms: ointment, cream, spray and tablets. Often prescribed to treat a fungal infection located between the toes. The ointment/cream is applied in a thin layer to a clean, dry area of skin. Rubbing is not recommended. The frequency of application is twice a day.
The dosage of tablets is determined individually. Reception is carried out over several weeks. For children, the dose is determined based on weight and age. The drug has a harmful effect on pathogenic microorganisms and is a powerful remedy. The tablets should not be prescribed in the following situations:
- Liver dysfunction;
- Lactose intolerance;
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- Hypersensitivity;
- Children under three years old;
- Patient weight up to 20 kg.
Important: with the simultaneous use of antifungal drugs and alcohol, the likelihood of toxic liver damage increases.
Such creams are well tolerated. Only some patients experience allergic reactions. In this case, drug prescriptions should be adjusted. You cannot select analogues yourself.
To prevent the appearance of fungi, it is recommended to treat shoes with antifungal agents; strictly follow all doctors' recommendations and do not cancel treatment; observe hygiene rules; After water procedures, dry your feet.